Episode 73 Governor General – Requiem (1)
The next day.
The funeral of Maximilien Isidore was held with countless people gathered.
Although he was once an object of fear, there are countless people who express respect and condolences to the politician who fell while shouting to protect the revolution until the end.
While Eris sings a dirge in her pure voice, an endless procession is offering flowers to Isidor’s coffin.
I walked along the procession with Christine and arrived in front of Isidor’s coffin.
Christine puts down the flowers before me, takes a step back, and looks at me with her mouth covered with a fan.
Her eyes, which are usually cold and sunken, take on a soft color, as if to say that no matter what I do, she is on my side.
I looked at her, then looked away and slowly extended my hand.
Before I return, I give flowers to the body of the man who sentenced me to death.
An act like a symbol that proves that so much has changed since the return.
But just as my actions changed many things, they also changed me.
Isidor appeared to be sleeping with a peaceful face, submerged in a sea of flowers.
As he had neither a wife nor children during his lifetime, the only people who stayed by his side were his fellow members of the Revolutionary Party.
Still, I will never forget the way he kept his beliefs until the end and longed for the fruits of his faith even as he died.
I stepped away from the coffin and turned my head to see the next person laying flowers on the coffin.
“Christine.”
I give Christine my hand and-
“Pierre.”
She naturally gives me her hand.
I escorted her away from Isidor’s coffin.
“Thank you for your effort. And thank you.”
When I spoke to Christine, she answered while slightly averting her gaze.
“It’s a plan I made. On the contrary, even though I received a lot of advice from you, I almost failed because he was greater than I thought. … I have no shame.”
“No, if it weren’t for the time you gave me, the resistance at the National Assembly would have failed. “You moved carefully so as not to provoke the northern army, so bloodshed was minimized, and most of all…”
I said, looking straight into Christine’s eyes.
“You’re safe, so that’s enough for me.”
Christine spread her fan and covered her mouth.
Then, with a slightly flushed face, he fanned himself a few times and opened his mouth again.
“…is the disappearance of these two positive for your plans?”
“well.”
Maximilien Isidore and Raphael Balian.
Everyone called those two at the National Assembly my adversaries, but…
I turned my gaze and looked at Eris, who was blessing Isidor’s body in a slightly awkward manner at the request of the priests.
When trying to put Eris on the throne, Maximilien Isidore would definitely have opposed it.
“I do not know.”
However, what if the people found out that the war could be prevented or delayed with Eris’s ascension and they agreed?
Lying in the coffin, he cannot answer. There’s no telling what choice he would have made.
As I remained silent for a moment, the Count of Anjou approached me.
“You have done a great job, Marquis de Lafayette and Count of Aquitaine.”
“Count of Anjou.”
The Count of Anjou approached us with a bright face.
The anger shown at my actions, which could be called a betrayal in passing the establishment of diplomatic relations with King Crocs in the National Assembly, has already disappeared.
Count Anjou smiled slightly.
If it weren’t for the funeral, I might have smiled like always.
“Congratulations on your victory, Marquis de Lafayette. “I feel relieved to think that I will no longer have to see the mercenary brat bragging about being a commander on par with the Marquis.”
“…Thank you, Count.”
“Now, even those in the National Assembly who were bothering us at every turn to try to hold us back will be shocked.”
A suspicion actually raised by Raphael Balian.
The suspicion that Christine had conspired with the Abyss Corporation to poison not only Richelieu but also her father was buried by the shocking news of Raphael Balian’s treason and the death of Maximilien Isidor.
Even as time passes, no one will bother to reveal it.
“You don’t know how surprised I was. I felt cold inside at the National Assembly. Still, I am always amazed by the Count of Aquitaine’s amazing resourcefulness. “While no one in the National Assembly was aware, the Count was responding to the traitor’s evil plan.”
“I regret that Raphael Balian moved so quickly that time was running out and I could not tell you beforehand, Count Anjou. However, as you know, it is a very dangerous situation, so I hope you can understand.”
When Christine politely asked for understanding, the Count of Anjou responded with the face of a good man.
“Some people may have a minor misunderstanding, but of course I understand both of your positions. Still, the future for us and the Central Party will be much brighter now. That’s why I’m saying this, but I believe that our friendship will remain the same as it has been since the South.”
Although he could not hide his hostility toward the southern pagans with whom he personally fought the war, he was a man with enough political sense to listen to his children’s words and give up his territory and instead take a position in the revolutionary government.
We passed a bill that was contrary to their opinion and did not even inform them of this potentially dangerous matter.
Nevertheless, because we won, the Count of Anjou dismissed it as a minor misunderstanding and asked that he would like to be with us in the future.
“Of course, Count. “I ask for your cooperation in the future.”
Count Anjou grinned after hearing my answer.
“Yes, when you say that, the old man feels relieved. Then the uninvited guests will disappear. “I hope the deceased is in peace.”
Christine, who was watching the Count of Anjou retreat, waved her fan and opened her mouth.
“It’s still pretty good for the Count of Anjou. “There are already many people who have defected and are trying to attack you.”
“…I have to leave again.”
King Crocs was more generous to me than I expected, but that’s why I can’t put it off any longer and have to go down. They did this only for me, but they can’t send anyone else.
“I’ll leave the choice up to you, Christine.”
“Is the policy to expand power? or not.”
“…Please only accept those who you think will be helpful. “There is no need for so many unnecessary people.”
Christine’s eyes narrowed nicely.
“You’re wise.”
There is no benefit in increasing your power by pretending that your competitors have disappeared.
Our purpose is not to expand our power and establish dictatorial power.
A force that is too numerous and miscellaneous will have high expectations and demands, which in itself becomes a burden.
Rather, for us, a level of power that would be difficult to exert much influence without us is just right. That way, when the time comes, even agendas that are opposed to the party can be implemented, like this time.
While I was thinking that, a young congressman came up to us.
One of the leading figures of the Revolutionary Party who was protecting Isidor’s end.
Maurice Talleyrand, a man who is being mentioned as a likely next president of the Revolutionary Party.
“Marquis de Lafayette, Count of Aquitaine.”
“Representative Talleyrand.”
Talleyrand greeted Christine and me politely and then opened his mouth.
“Thank you for attending President Izidor’s funeral.”
“…I hope the deceased is in peace.”
Talleyrand looked at me quietly and slowly opened his mouth.
“I ask for your understanding in advance, Count of Aquitaine. “If you don’t mind, may I ask the Marquis de Lafayette a few questions?”
“Of course, Senator.”
As Christine answered lightly, Talleyrand immediately looked at me and asked.
“…Excuse me, Marquis de Lafayette. “The governor said he was asking for a republic in the end.”
I revealed this to the lawmakers who asked about his will.
It’s not exactly the same thing, but I thought that’s what he would say to the lawmakers, not me.
“That’s right.”
Talleyrand looked down for a moment, then looked straight at me and opened his mouth.
“I have my doubts, Marquis de Lafayette. “Some people may think it is a noble will worthy of President Isidore, but you were in a position that was in conflict with President Isidor.”
The man, who I vaguely assumed was one of Maximilien Isidor’s close associates, asked a question with a rather sharp expression on his face.
“Was the last words you conveyed out of respect for the deceased, or was it out of legitimacy as a hero who became a defender of the revolution?”
I looked at him quietly.
Talleyrand’s face does not waver at all.
Did Maximilien Isidor know in advance the anxiety I had?
Right.
Maximilien Isidor has definitely changed me.
If that were the case, his influence would have clearly remained on the revolutionary party that followed him at the time when the radicals who did not follow his control were killed by me.
I smiled softly.
“President Izidor was wary of me.”
“I, no, all of us, Marquis. “It would not be an exaggeration to say that how you feel now that all your opponents have disappeared is one of the most important factors in the fate of the republic.”
It may have been unfounded that I was worried that this side would run wild in the National Assembly, where Maximilien Isidore and Raphael Balian had disappeared.
“As long as you do not betray the spirit of the revolution, I will continue to protect you.”
I added slowly, looking at Talleyrand with wide eyes.
“This is the answer I gave to the governor.”
Talleyrand slowly closed his eyes and opened them.
“I hope President Izidor’s noble sacrifice and your determination will remain for a long time. … Even for the countless blood shed for the republic.”
“I hope so too.”
As if in sync, the people surrounding Isidor’s coffin began to sing a funeral song.
Talleyrand turned his head for a moment and listened to the song sung for the defender of the republic.
Only after the singing stopped did he turn his head again, look at me, and open his mouth.
“Whether Governor Izidor maintains the Republic or not, the people of this country will never tolerate a second Raphael Balian. “This time we were defenseless, but we will never be again.”
Maximilien Isidore faced death, but that one man’s sacrifice created countless others who would follow him and protect the revolution.
Talleyrand made eye contact with Christine and me in turn, then added:
“I believe that you two will be willing to help the people of the Republic and Francia.”
Christine and I responded by nodding our heads slightly.
Only then did Talleyrand bring up another topic.
“I took up too much time. … We plan to nominate you as Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army.”
“okay.”
“What do you think should be done about the northern army commanders?”
“First of all, he will have to be relieved of his duties, but I think it would be better to reappoint him, even at a demoted rank, during wartime.”
Even so, there is a shortage of useful officers, and if they were all eliminated just because they participated in Balian’s coup, the army would be paralyzed.
“We will discuss the Marquis’ opinion within the Revolutionary Party. “Decisions are made by the National Assembly.”
Talleyrand replied, was silent for a moment, and then opened his mouth.
“What about Raphael Balian?”
* * *
The old iron bar door stood aside, making an unpleasant clanging sound.
In the dungeon, where sunlight does not even shine properly, there is only a weak light from burning torches, and the entire place is immersed in gray darkness.
The foul odor coming from the mold-covered walls stings my nose.
The hard feel of the stone floor under your shoes is far from comfortable.
I walk forward, feeling unfamiliar with the unfamiliar yet familiar sensation.
Finally, we arrived in front of a room in a familiar location.
The only difference is that I am from the outside looking down and they are from the inside looking up.
“Oh, this is it.”
Still a cheerful tone of voice.
“I thought you would have already left by now.”
However, the voice is somewhat hoarse and lacks the cheerfulness it once had.
“It’s nice to see you here in person, Marquis de Lafayette.”
“…Balien.”
In the prison where I was once imprisoned, Raphael Balian smiled with a pale face.
